IF we asked the people of Colchester would you like to be fitter, would you like to be healthier, would you like to live in a quieter, cleaner town?

Would you like children to have more freedom as they move to and from school? Would you like less air pollution?

Would you like less traffic in your road? Would you like to stop giving Putin your oil money?

Undoubtedly all these questions would be in the affirmative.

And yet whenever there is the nearest suggestion of encouraging drivers to choose an alternative a hysterical reaction ignites on these letter pages.

Suddenly we see claims of “selfishness” from Sir Bob’s provocative pen, we hear of a councillor “celebrating” as traffic is given even more road space, and even association of the words “hate” and “cycle lane” on the front page of this newspaper.

Are we really this intolerant?

Is there really justification for this bile?

The solution to Colchester’s congestion is not to remove alternatives designed to promote a healthier option, but instead reduce the traffic. We see this every school holiday when the traffic flow is much better.

A good start would be for the council to encourage children cycle to school.

By doing so it will encourage a healthier lifestyle that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Doctors and the Government understand the need for active transport.

This will require segregation.

If people choose alternatives, the diminished space for cars can be adequately compensated by diminished number of cars.

Then we will all enjoy a quieter cleaner safer healthier town.

The more pleasant environment and healthier lifestyle may even treat the distemper of some of your contributors, making it a less bilious place!

Paul Byrne

Consultant physician, Colchester General Hospital